Tuberose — 7Harvest, storage & transport

• Picking and grading

  The crop lasts about 2½–3 years. For loose flowers and concrete, pick individual florets daily in the early morning (before 8 am) as they start to open. For cut flowers, cut the whole spike leaving 4–6 cm at the base. Spikes are graded by stalk length, rachis length, number of flowers and weight; straight, strong stems free of bruises, pests and disease are preferred.

  Pending expert review

  Source

  Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tuberose – Crop duration; harvest; grading, p. 260

  Region

  Tamil Nadu

  Last updated

  2026-11-04

• Lifting and storing bulbs

  Bulbs mature when flowering stops and leaves turn yellow and dry in winter (February–March); stop irrigation and let the soil dry. Cut the leaves at ground level, dig out the bulbs and shake off the soil. Separate the offsets by hand for next season, and grade bulbs as mature (over 1.5 cm diameter) or immature. Dry the bulbs on shelves, turning them every few days to prevent fungal rot.

  Pending expert review

  Source

  Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tuberose – Lifting, curing and storage of bulbs, p. 261

  Region

  Tamil Nadu

  Last updated

  2026-11-04